CONVICTION XXXVII

Episode XXXVII Sunday October 25th, 2020 The Citadel in Toronto, Ontario

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You know how it goes, following the highly impressive OATH champions signature we crossfade from a black screen into The Citadel. Pyro, ballyhoo -- all that good shit. The fans are losing their minds because they love this brand as if it sprung from their own imagination. The ringside announce table had Matt Mears and Ben Petrie seated behind it. Petrie had his feet kicked up on the table and he was sipping a Witch’s Brew from Dead To Rights Brewery (available in all LCBO and Beer Store locations).

MEARS: Welcome wrestling fans to the thirty-seventh episode of OATH Pro Wrestling Conviction. I am Matt Mears alongside my surly, parolee of a broadcast colleague, the incomparable “Bad Mood” Ben Petrie.

PETRIE: You say that I’m on parole like it is something to be ashamed of!

MEARS: What were you initially arrested for?

PETRIE: Tax evasion. It’s a wonder that I’m even allowed in Canada! They typically don’t allow American felons to cross the border.

MEARS: I believe that the Barlow Family were instrumental in getting your feet on Canadian soil.

PETRIE: That was a mistake!

Bad Mood held his beer can up to the camera and gave it a wink.

MEARS: We have a sterling episode of Conviction for you tonight fans. Six incredible matches, one of them a title match, and the main event will see Number One Contender to the OATH World Championship, “The Hellhound” Matt Shields take on Stephanie “Cloud” Matsuda in what is sure to be an excellent match.

PETRIE: Yeah but we have to talk about that other thing. The other bullshit that is happening tonight.

MEARS: Yes of course. OATH President Tommy Straker has provided The Runaways and their associates with some stage time tonight to perform a concert.

Bad Mood was disgusted, he spit on the floor beside him and Mears gave him a “You serious?” kind of look.

PETRIE: I just don’t get this. This is a wrestling program, we don’t need to hear this bullshit. I’ve heard what those Sharpe dickheads consider music and it’s going to clear the crowd right out of The Citadel!

MEARS: Well then hopefully their performance gets moved to the end of the night. I am sure that the staff of The Citadel will be quite happy to see the fans leave in a timely fashion!

PETRIE: That’s not the point! We have actual wrestling tonight. We’re gonna determine who faces FM Young for the Intrepid Championship at Violent Ends -- it’s either gonna be AJ Jenkynx or Erik Holland. We’ve also got a Tabula Rasa Championship match, Leah Aguero is gonna defend her title for the first time against a former TR Champion Jenna Sharpe! There is plenty of wrestling on tap tonight, we don’t need this millennial sad-fest eating up tv time.

MEARS: Like it or not that is what is going to happen. In addition to the matches that you spoke of we will also see The Hell Realm face off against Super Kawaii Thunder Liger Squadron for the right to face the Mancini Syndicate at Violent Ends for the OATH Tag Team Titles! Elsewhere, Johnny Draco will face Alex Pierce and in our opening contest we shall see The Blacklist face Sweet Treats.

PETRIE: Sweet Treats, a team that hates their fans!

MEARS: I do not believe that they hate their fans in the slightest. I think that they would just prefer that their fans not involve themselves in their matches. Speaking of Alex Andrews and Kallie Reznik, I am told that we are set to join them backstage as they prepare for our opening contest. Wrestling fans, let us begin!

The scene opened up in the The Sweet Treats locker room. Kallie was seen stretching, getting herself limber before their match. After a minute or two, Alex walked in and sat on a chair opposite of her, digging into her bag to pull out a roll of athletic tape. She began wrapping her wrists, getting herself ready as well.

ALEX: You're too hard on yourself sometimes.

KALLIE: No, I'm not...

Alex sighed a little bit.

ALEX: Yeah, you are. I know you blame yourself for our lost to The Mancini Syndicate, but you shouldn't. The way I see it, I would have been in the place to break up the pin if it weren't for those...Sweet...Boys.

Alex thought back to one of The Sweet Boys wrapping her up in hug as she was in the middle of their Tag Team Championship match. It was a completely unprofessional act and totally uncalled for. She grumbled as she continued wrapping her wrist.

ALEX: So, don't beat yourself up over it. All things considered, I believe we showed the world we mean business. That we are completely committed to ourselves as a team and being the best we can be. So outside of actually winning those Tag Team Titles, we did what we set out to do. Now we regroup.

Kallie nodded as she stretched her hamstrings, continuing the conversation.

KALLIE: Which is where our match with The Blacklist comes in. They'll be looking to do the same thing.

Alex nodded after she used her teeth to rip off a strip of the tape.

ALEX: Yeah, we will just have to be better. Be more prepared. I believe we can do it. I see them trying to use their striking abilities and their grappling to ground us and slow us down. We are just going to have to keep things at our pace and wear them out.

Kallie smiled and nodded as she changes positions.

KALLIE: We can do it. And after that, it'll get us one step closer to getting another shot at those titles. And one step closer to us showing that be belong in the title hunt.

Alex smiled big, quite sure of her and her tag team partner's abilities and chances. Suddenly, there was a knock on their locker room door.

KALLIE: Hello? Who is it?

VOICE: Uh, my name is Sam, I'm with the production team, and this... gift was sent to The Citadel, but distinctively addressed to The Sweet Treats.

They both stopped what they are doing and give each other a quizzical look, mouthing words to each other and shaking their heads. They opened the door and smiled. Kallie took the medium sized present, looking it over.

ALEX: So, thank you, I guess. Does it say who it is from?

SAM: I think it says so on the box. Anyways, there you go.

ALEX: Thanks again...

By that time, they had shut the door and looked at the box.

ALEX: So who is it from?

Kallie gasped as she finds the name of the sender.

KALLIE: Seriously? Them?

ALEX: Them?

KALLIE: The Sweet Boys.

Alex nudged the box with a finger.

ALEX: I suppose we should open it. Go on.

Kallie nodded and began ripping the tape off and pulled out a stuffed penguin. The sight of it made Alex gasp.

ALEX: How..do...they know?

As Alex blinked in disbelief, Kallie noticed in the penguin's lap was a small bag of Jaffa's, a rare Australian chocolate. Kallie tossed the penguin on the floor as she too was shocked at the gift. Someone obviously did some homework and dug into each of their private lives to incorporate a gift that stuck both ladies in such a way.

KALLIE: That's going too far. This is going beyond fandom, Alex.

ALEX: I don't like this one bit. But we can't let this shake us.

KALLIE: I'll try not to, girl...but..damn.

Both of them looked at the stuffed animal and the scattered chocolates on the floor and shook their heads as the scene faded.

TAG TEAM MATCH The Blacklist vs. Sweet Treats

The first match of the evening was in the tag team division as Nas and Nero Darkbringer, The Blacklist took on Alex Andrews and Kallie Reznik, Sweet Treats. Nas and Darkbringer had already made their collective entrance and the fans gave them a luke warm response. Darkbringer proceeded to jaw jack with a group of guys in the front row -- six to be precise -- and all six of them were wearing colorful t-shirts that depicted cartoon versions of Sweet Treats.

MEARS: These er… gentlemen… again?

PETRIE: They paid for their tickets!

MEARS: But even you should admit that they are crossing some lines. This goes beyond regular fandom. We are slipping into stalker territory.

PETRIE: So you’re considered a stalker when you come to support your favourite athletes? Come on Mears, these guys are just passionate!

MEARS: I feel that it is becoming dangerous.

PETRIE: Look at them! They couldn’t hurt a blind, deaf baby.

Alex and Kallie were out next and it was clear that The Citadel loved them. A “SWEET TREATS” chant started up almost immediately but none were screaming as loud as the six men in the front row across from the hard camera. The Sweet Boys were in the building and everyone was creeped out.

The response to the presence of their “adoring fans” in the front row prompted both Alex and Kallie to enter the ring on the opposing side in an effort to ignore the incel brigade. The two teams were now in the ring and the referee called for the bell.

Seemingly enraged by the Sweet Boys continuing to hound them, Alex exploded out of the Sweet Treats corner and caught Darkbringer with a quick spear that nearly took him out of his boots. Or at least, it appeared that way. The point is that his boots were still on his feet.

PETRIE: Look! The presents of the Sweet Boys has inspired Alex Andrews to bring some real aggression to this match. It’s really great stuff!

MEARS: That is certainly one way to look at it. I look at it as Alex wants to finish this match as quickly as possible so that she and Kallie do not need to be in close proximity to these...fans.

Alex hefted Darkbringer up and shot him across the ring and on his return she took him over with a hip toss. Darkbringer landed right on his tailbone and was sitting up when Alex blasted him with a dropkick to the back of the head. Instead of going for a cover, Alex opted to tag in Kallie.

MEARS: Quick tags, a staple of the Sweet Treats gameplan.

Both members of Sweet Treats peppered Darkbringer with some strikes. Following the strikefest, Alex applied a reverse waist lock and Kallie took off for the ropes. On Kallie’s return, she leaped into the air and caught Darkbringer in the face with a single leg dropkick and Alex took him over with a release German suplex.

Kallie collected Darkbringer and stood him up, only to put his ass back down on the canvas with a scoop slam. Kallie then darted toward the ropes on the same side where the Sweet Boys sat in the front row. Kallie stopped dead in her tracks, terrified by the aggressive enthusiasm from these rabid neckbeards.

MEARS: Look at the effect that these men are having on our athletes! They should be barred from sitting in the front row.

PETRIE: Last time I checked, Canada was a free country! They paid for their tickets and those front row seats are not cheap. This is all perfectly above board.

The momentary distraction from the Sweet Boys gave Darkbringer the opportunity to slink up behind Kallie and put her shoulders on the mat with a school boy. Luckily, Kallie was agile enough to completely roll backward and then she cracked him in the side of the head with a roundhouse kick. Doing her best to avoid making eye contact with the Sweet Boys, Kallie tagged in Alex.

At this point Nas had seen enough. He illegally entered the ring and darted toward Sweet Treats but the girls were quick enough to hit him with double Elysiums (Running Bicycle Kicks). Nas was thrust backward by the force of the blow.

MEARS: The Blacklist have really yet to find any momentum as a tandem here in OATH. Despite having a good amount of matches together as a team, victories have eluded them.

Darkbringer was back up and he sent Kallie sailing over the top rope. Kallie landed hard on her left shoulder with a thud -- right in front of the Sweet Boys. Concerned for her partner, Alex went to exit the ring to help her but she was caught with a roundhouse kick from Nas and an enziguiri from Darkbringer at the same time! Alex crumpled to the mat and Darkbringer made the first real cover of the contest.

1..

2..!

PETRIE: A victory is in The Blacklist’s future. Alex and Kallie are far too concerned with pandering to their fans!

MEARS: Are you out of your mind?

PETRIE: It’s been suggested, yeah.

A cheer went up from the crowd but the Sweet Boys were oddly silent. Why? Well I’ll tell you -- Kallie lay on the floor in front of them and she was within arms reach. These seething neckbeards were practically spilling over the railing when security figured that it was a good time to start earning their paychecks. Three well built individuals in black polos stood between the Reddit admins and Kallie Reznik.

In the ring, Alex desperately needed to make a tag because that last combination from The Blacklist really fucked her shit up. Nas momentarily got back out onto the apron only for his protege Darkbringer to tag him right back in. Nas vaulted over the top rope and proceeded to knee Alex right in the mush.

PETRIE: The Blacklist have isolated Alex Andrews and they are primed to do some fuckin’ damage!

Kallie was finally able to get back up on the apron and she could see that Alex was having a real tough time. Nas hoisted Alex up onto his shoulders in electric chair position. Darkbringer pointed at Kallie and said “You watching?” before he shot into the ring with a springboard and caught Alex with a knee strike that took her off of Nas’ shoulders. Nero covered.

1..

2..

..!

Alex was just able to kick out and the incel brigade in the front row screamed in support. Kallie did her best to not even get a peripheral view of these dickheads as she extended her hand for a tag. Darkbringer grabbed Alex by the left ankle as she went for a tag but she cracked him with an enziguiri! Alex then rolled forward and tagged in Kallie.

MEARS: That was the opening that Sweet Treats needed! If you are facing this tandem you can’t let them tag so often or else the match will be over very quickly.

PETRIE: Yeah just hold up there Mears. Unless these ladies can focus, this match is not even close to being finished. They need to concentrate on the task at hand.

Darkbringer didn’t see what happened and he thought that Alex was still the legal competitor! Alex was trying to recover, laying in the Sweet Treats corner. Darkbringer went to engage her but Kallie hit a springboard into the ring and took Darkbringer down with Asphodel Files (Dragonrana)! Kallie tried to hook his legs for the pin but Darkbringer rolled to the outside.

MEARS: Look where Nero is Bad Mood. He is right in front of those rabid fans.

PETRIE: Competitors need to stop going over there and security needs to be more on the fucking ball! This shouldn’t be a problem!

MEARS: I actually agree.

Seeing his partner roll to the outside prompted Nas to enter the ring and try to get the jump on Kallie but she cut him off with a boot to the midsection and then planted him with Ursa Major (Buster Leg Drop DDT)! As soon as Nas was down, Alex applied a cloverleaf as Kallie applied Acheron (Code of Silence) for the double submission attempt! The referee applied a five count because this was clearly an illegal hold.

On the outside of the ring the Sweet Boys harassed Darkbringer as he got to his feet. He didn’t seem to give a shit and slid back into the ring. Darkbringer swung on Alex but she caught him with a leaping knee. Kallie sat herself on the top rope as Alex hit Darkbringer with a backstabber that propelled him right into Threads of The Moirai (Eclipse) from Kallie which completed their Skittle Scramble double team! Kallie covered and Alex stood guard.

1..

2.

..3!

Winners: Sweet Treats

"Hypa Hypa" by Eskimo Callboy rang out from the p.a. system in The Citadel. Alex and Kallie embraced before getting their arms raised -- they were clearly relieved to be back on the winning track after last week. The Sweet Boys screamed in approval, like a group of overweight banshees. Alex almost moved to give them a piece of her mind but Kallie held her back. No need to engage the incels.

The time had come for Johnny Draco to prove himself once again in the ring. At that moment the cameras got a glimpse of the young fellow standing on the stage dressed in his regular ring attire. He raised his hands in an X formation to incite a reaction from the fans. They stood from their seats cheering loudly. Tiffany Lynn Page stood near Draco with a grin gracing her face, they both felt confident about this upcoming match. After the last episode of Conviction had taken place, Draco knew he was starting to be recognized. It gave him a sense of pride every day he continued to prove himself. They walked down the ramp, Johnny Draco’s eyes glancing towards the fans and he gave them a nod.

DRACO: This one's for you guys enjoy this match.

They could tell that Draco respected them as much as they respected him. He walked towards the ring stairs, walking up them slowly and he stepped onto the apron. His hand brushed against the top rope with each step across the apron. Tiffany moved around the ringside area slowly, she wanted to get a good position to watch the action. Draco made his way towards the ring announcer Crybaby, taking the microphone from her in a gentle fashion. At that moment Draco’s theme music came to an end and it appeared that he wanted to get something off his chest. He stood proudly in the center of the ring, raising the microphone up to his lips before speaking.

DRACO: Tonight, I will once again prove myself here in OATH Pro Wrestling. I face off a man who doesn’t deserve to be underneath the same spotlight as me. I feel in a way I’m doing the owners’ dirty work here tonight, yet I plan on enjoying this match for these fans. You see my road to redemption continues through Alex Pierce. A competitor who has failed time after time to get the job done. To these fans he has begun to grow stale and shown to have no value. If he thinks that facing me will change this fact, he is surely starting to believe his own false hopes. Tonight, I plan on making an example out of him, proving I deserve to face more worthy opponents, an opponent that could give these fans a match worth watching. I am interested in the outcome of the Intrepid Championship Contenders match tonight and will be watching that title match at Violent Ends very closely.

He grinned, looking towards the camera’s direction. He turned to one of the turnbuckles, he walked toward it and his hand reached towards the top rope. He pulled himself up to climb on top of the top turnbuckle, he then sat down on top of it, his feet resting on the middle buckle. He looked around the arena with a sigh of relief, he was honored to be there that night. At that moment he brought the microphone back up to his lips, his eyes staring towards Tiffany before gazing back to the fans. He owed it to them all to come out victorious that night.

DRACO: I just hope FM Young is watching this next match. You see I am going to show what happens when you face off against someone worthy. At the end of the match I will have proved that I deserve a shot at the Intrepid title in the near future. Though, we all know what happened the last time I had a title shot. I don’t plan on letting time repeat itself this time around. I am prepared to be the rightful Intrepid Champion, I know what these fans want in a champion. Though, your next opponent might give you a fight for that belt. I know it is me that will be taking it off your hands after Violent Ends.

Some of the fans booed him for bringing up FM Young, a competitor that most of the fans had respect for due to the hard work put into the reign. Draco laughed a bit seeing this reaction that he had caused. He waved his hand a bit while glancing toward all of them. He was aware that he had angered some of them, yet it was the real fans that would stick around. He nodded his head placing the microphone closer to his lips. He wanted everyone in the building to hear him clearly

DRACO: Easy there, folks I know FM young is a fierce competitor. I have paid a lot of attention to her career and reign. Believe me I have grown to be a fan as much as you guys. Yet that won’t stop me from being the worthy competitor to challenge for the Intrepid title. You see where one competitor fails to get the job done, I shall be there to pick up and destroy the pieces left. At Violent Ends the violence won’t be stopping, the pain shall continue after that night. Whoever wins the Interpid Championship at Violent Ends, get ready for a war that you can’t win. A war that defines what it means to be a true champion. Mic drop moment here so listen up -- I will be the one who stands above you both after your match. Whomever walks out of Violent Ends with the title, I’m coming for you on sight. So, take this next match as your final warning as to what’s to come. It won’t be a sight you will find yourself forgetting. Don’t worry Alex Pierce it will soon be over.

He flipped the microphone out of his hand letting it fall to the canvas. At that moment he heard Alex Pierce’s music start to play. It would appear as though his competitor had heard enough, it was now time to give these fans their money worth. That was a job that Johnny Draco took seriously with every match he wrestled. He waited for his opponent to come through the curtains. He was ready for the battle. He hopped off the turnbuckle and began pacing around the ring slowly, his eyes focussed on the ramp.

SINGLES MATCH Johnny Draco vs. Alex Pierce

“The Fire Fist Ace” Alex Pierce finally made his way through the curtain and he marched to the ring. Johnny Draco kept his eyes fixed on his opponent as Pierce stomped up the steps and entered the ring. Draco flashed a grin to his manager Tiffany Lynn Page and the referee called for the bell. Pierce exploded out of his corner and tried to take Draco down but Draco was able to evade him.

PETRIE: Seems that Pierce is a little pissed about what this upstart had to say about him. I would be too! Alex Pierce is a giant challenge for Draco!

MEARS: Alex Pierce is no slouch, that much is certain. But as of late he has come up short in some big opportunities. That may have hurt his confidence and as we just heard from Johnny, he is not lacking in that department.

Draco squared up in a traditional boxing stance as Pierce shot in on him again. Draco landed a blow to Pierce’s left kidney but Pierce was able to put Draco on the mat with a traditional takedown. Draco tried for another right jab but Pierce caught his arm under his left arm pit.

Pierce did his best to apply a key lock but Draco caught him with a jab to the right kidney this time. Pierce was forced to break his hold on Draco’s arm and then got up to his feet. Draco attempted to advance with another right hand but Pierce kicked him in the midsection and quickly took him over with a snap suplex.

MEARS: Suplexes are a deep part of Alex’s arsenal. Draco needs to use his speed to stay away from these expert throws from The Fire Fist Ace.

PETRIE: Pierce is literally a human suplex---

MEARS: Don’t say it.

Tiffany cheered from ringside but that didn’t help Draco, Pierce stayed close and quickly hauled Draco up and over with a belly to back suplex. That one kept Draco down for longer and as he got up onto all fours Pierce sprawled forward and applied a front chancery. Pierce wrestled Draco down to the mat, Draco’s knees having given out.

The Fire Fist Ace quickly spun over into a reverse mount and did his best to apply a rear naked choke but Draco was able to fight out of it and buck Pierce off. Pierce scrambled to turn and re-engage but Draco caught him with a right cross to the chin. With Pierce momentarily staggered, Draco caught him with a high angle flipping dropkick to the chest.

MEARS: That is the kind of offense that Johnny needs to utilize. Strike quick, strike often, then put some distance between yourself and Alex.

The audience cheered for Draco as Pierce staggered back into a corner, catching himself on the top rope. Draco quickly darted in and hopped up onto the middle rope. Calling out to the fans in The Citadel, Draco started hammering Pierce with right hands. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9------ The audience chanted along with each shot!

MEARS: The fans are fully behind Johnny Draco!

PETRIE: I’m just shocked that they can all count!

Before hitting a tenth, Draco called out to them and they responded with a cheer. Draco pulled back and went for a tenth punch but Pierce caught him with a shot to the midsection. Pierce slipped under Draco, applied a reverse waist lock and then brought Draco off of the middle rope with a modified German suplex! Draco landed hard on the back of his neck and Pierce covered.

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2..!

The audience cheered as Draco was able to kick out. Pierce once again went to his ground game and tried to apply a bulldog choke but Draco fought up to his feet. With Tiffany and The Citadel behind him, Draco would not be denied. Draco broke Pierce’s grip and shoved him into the ropes but Pierce stopped short, pivoted and blasted Draco with a discus clothesline.

MEARS: That is the experience of Alex Pierce coming into play.

PETRIE: Yeah Draco just had an experience! A bad one!

MEARS: Have another drink Bad Mood.

PETRIE: Okay.

Pierce somewhat mocked Draco, looking down at him and then out at the audience as if to say “Really? This guy?” and the fans showed Pierce a great deal of hate for the inference that Draco was not up to snuff. Draco himself seemed pretty angered by this show of arrogance because when Pierce hauled Draco up for some more punishment, Draco slipped behind him and planted him with The Mic Drop (Skull Crushing Finale) out of nowhere! Draco covered.

1..

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..3!

Winner: Johnny Draco

"Kumbaya" by Hopsin cued up and Tiffany Lynn Page immediately entered the ring to celebrate with her client. The referee raised Draco’s left hand and Tiffany raised his right. Johnny had made good on his promise and won his second match in a row on Conviction. If he kept this pace up, few could deny his claim to an Intrepid Championship Match in the near future.

The lights in the arena suddenly dimmed and the tron lit up with a flash of lightning before a loud roar was heard. Bright colorful flashes appeared on the screen before “BLACK LION WARRIOR REPORTING” came booming through the arena. The lights flashed and there on the stage was Minoru Tanahashi in his black and silver gear and sporting a brand new shirt. He posed heroically as “PINK TIGER WARRIOR REPORTING” was heard, flashes of bright pink lights and now Super Tiger was on the stage in her pink and silver gear wearing a matching shirt. She posed and smiled as “BLUE KAWAII CAPYBARA WARRIOR REPORTING” sounded off and there were flashes of blue and white before Volta appeared wearing a shirt of his own and his cape. He looked at the crowd and smiled as Minoru to the left and Super Tiger to the right raised their hands and the whole team posed with them yelling “SUPER KAWAII THUNDER LIGER SQUADRON REPORTING FOR BATTLE” as ‘Flyers’ by Bradio started to play and the lights flashed rainbow colors.

The screen lit up with the animated adventures of SKTLS! Minoru struted down to the ring as Tiger smiled and waved with Volta, who sort of waddled down the ramp and basked in the admiration of the crowd. Minoru bought Volta up, put him on the apron and held the bottom rope for him so he could get in. Minoru hopped up onto the apron, wiped his feet and went to the corner as Tiger jumped into the ring and went to the opposite corner. Minoru and Tiger did matching poses as Volta peeked his head out over the rope. The music slowly died down and rather than their opponents being introduced, Minoru was given a mic. He smiled as the crowd seemed to be behind them.

MINORU: Hello Toronto, my second home.

That got the crowd going a little and Minoru clearly enjoyed the cheers.

MINORU: I said that myself and Tiger had something special for you tonight.

TIGER: In addition to the incredible wrestling match we’re about to have with The Hell Realm as we become the number one contenders for the tag team titles.

Minoru smirked and nodded.

MINORU: My tag partner and friend Super Tiger is correct. We have that huge match coming up and while we might be having some fun with you all right now, I hope Adrestia Nyx and Ryan Terror realize that we don’t play around when that bell rings.

TIGER: Minoru and I weren’t really planning to team up. I had thought about it and mentioned it, but both of us really wanted to focus on our singles career. Now though, as we find ourselves one match from being the top contenders and we hear all of you cheering for us, I kind of wanna smack him for not agreeing to team with me sooner.

Tiger looked over at Minoru and smiled, then sticks her tongue out at him.

MINORU: You probably should, but the Super Kawaii Thunder Liger Squadron or SKTLS if you prefer, is here now and ready to become the OATH Tag Team Champions. First though, who likes the new shirt?

The crowd cheered as the shirt was put up on the screen with the words AVAILABLE SOON AT ShopOATH.com and Merchandise areas within The Citadel, $24.99.

MINORU: These beautiful shirts will be on sale very soon, but tonight a few of you can get one of your very own.

Minoru smiled as two members of the ring crew pulled out two t-shirt cannons from under the ring! The crowd roared in approval. Free shit!

MINORU: We have ten of these babies to shoot out tonight. If you catch one and it’s not the right size or cut, find a crew member after the show, give them your information and I will make sure you are personally mailed a shirt that fits you, and you can keep the one you catch to give to someone you love.

Minoru smiled as the t-shirt cannons were loaded. Him and Tiger took aim at different sections of the arena and fired them off as the rowdy crowd was eager for a new shirt. Minoru and Tiger fired off shirts as Volta was now on the floor in a special little chair with a bucket of popcorn to cheer on his squadron mates.

#1 CONTENDERSHIP - TAG TEAM TITLES TAG TEAM MATCH The Hell Realm vs. Super Kawaii Thunder Liger Squadron

The Hell Realm of Adrestia Nyx and Ryan Terror made their entrance with the big bastard beast Monstruo hulking behind them. When they reached the ring, both Nyx and Terror entered the ring while Monstruo lingered at ringside. There was a look of concern on Minoru’s face when Monstruo turned his attention to Volta, who was happily munching on popcorn. Instead of walking over and ripping the capybara’s head off, like you would assume that an abomination like Monstruo would do, Monstruo kept his distance.

PETRIE: This proves it! Monstruo is a demon from hell but that… thing… it must be far worse!

MEARS: Volta is a capybara. How bad could it be?

PETRIE: It is pure evil!

The contest started with Adrestia Nyx and Super Tiger starting in the ring for their respective teams. There was an initial lock up but that gave way to a hard elbow from Tiger to the side of Nyx’s head. Nyx was staggered back but she responded by slapping Tiger in the face. It was hard to gauge the reaction of the masked wrestler...at first. It took no time for Tiger to answer that show of disrespect with a massive chop.

The sound of the knife edged chop was still ringing out in The Citadel when Tiger backed Nyx into the ropes and then shot her across the ring with an Irish whip. Nyx prevented a rebound off the ropes by hooking the top rope with her arm. Nyx gestured for Tiger to rush in and Tiger obliged. When Nyx dropped her head in an attempt to send Tiger over top of her to the floor Tiger stopped short and kicked Nyx in the face.

MEARS: I believe that Adrestia may have to visit a dentist after that shot.

PETRIE: Do you think any member of The Hell Realm goes to the dentist?

MEARS: I would hope that they do.

PETRIE: Hard to say. They may be too spooky for oral health.

The Alpha Bitch checked her bottom lip for blood and stared at Tiger with a look of extreme malice. Nyx made as if she was going for another lock up and Tiger was ready but at the last possible moment Nyx hit her with an onslaught of slaps and chops, alternating between them. Nyx then flattened Tiger with a spinning back fist to complete her Knuckles, Bitch combination.

On the apron Terror reached out and Nyx made the tag. Ringside, Volta finally took notice of Monstruo and honked at him. To everyone’s surprise, Monstruo jumped a little bit. The giant freak from hell was scared of the capybara! This earned a pop from a group of fans in the front row and Monstruo turned to snarl at them.

MEARS: Did you see that? Monstruo just jumped in fear!

PETRIE: There are some bad vibes coming off of that rat.

In the ring, Nyx and Terror had put the boots to Tiger and then sent her off toward the ropes with an Irishi whip. All Minoru could do was watch as Terror lifted Tiger up with a flapjack and brought her down into a cutter from Nyx -- The Protocol (3D). Tiger was laid out and Nyx stood between Tiger and her partner as Terror fell into a lackadaisical cover.

1..

2..!

MEARS: A shocking kickout from Super Tiger! The Protocol has felled many a tag team wrestlers here in OATH.

PETRIE: They probably didn’t get all of it.

MEARS: Seems to me that they did.

PETRIE: They didn’t.

Super Tiger kicked out and Volta honked loudly from ringside. Monstruo backed away even further, apparently he was unsure of exactly what kind of creature he was looking at. Terror ground his forearm into Tiger’s forehead but the resilient Japanese sensation fought up to her feet and met Terror with a knife edge chop. Terror responded with a thigh press into Tiger’s midsection and then sent her across the ring with an Irish whip. Terror had not anticipated the level of speed that Tiger would pick up and before he knew it he found himself on the canvas after being hit with a sling blade!

MEARS: This is the opening that SKTLS needed!

PETRIE: They are facing a team with WAYYY more experience. Sure, this little schtick is fun and everything but you can’t be acting this way against a team like The Hell Realm.

Instead of going for a cover, Tiger knew that she had to make a tag to Minoru and that is exactly what she did. The crowd popped as The Black Lion slipped into the ring and blasted a recovering Terror with a running palm strike. Minoru called out to Tiger, “Squadron Maneuver Number Seven!” and Tiger hoisted herself up onto the top rope. Minoru then hoisted Terror up with a powerbomb. All Terror could do was watch as Tiger flew at him with a meteora as Minoru planted him with a powerbomb. Minoru stacked Terror up into a pinning predicament.

1..

2..

..!

MEARS: Seems that SKTLS have all of the tag team prowess that they need.

PETRIE: Beginners like!

MEARS: This is not their first match as a team.

PETRIE: They are still beginners!

SKTLS nearly had the win but Nyx came into the ring and booted Minoru in the back of the head. The referee was quickly losing control of this match because Tiger remained in the ring and she cracked Nyx in the side of the head with an enziguiri! Nyx turned and fell backward, draping herself over the middle rope, facing the audience. Minoru was back up and Tiger called to him, “Squadron Special Maneuver Alpha!” and Minoru gave a nod. Tiger darted toward Nyx and hit her with a Tiger feint kick that sent Nyx stumbling backward right into a dragon suplex from Minoru!

With both members of the Hell Realm down, laying beside one another, Monstruo reached into the ring and grabbed both of them by a wrist. Monstruo pulled Terror and Nyx out of the ring to help them recover. Monstruo went about helping them up but a “HONK!” from Volta caused Monstruo to stagger backward in fear. Terror and Nyx helped eachother up only for both Minoru and Tiger to come flying over the top rope with Daburu Aete Daibingu (Stereo Tope Suicida)!

MEARS: All of the momentum is favouring the Squadron right now. Hell Realm can’t seem to get their feet under themselves.

PETRIE: Just wait they are biding their time!

Both members of The Hell Realm were down and Monstruo stood, paralyzed by fear. Minoru and Tiger got Terror up and slipped him into the ring. Tiger was instructed to get back into her corner as Minoru walked up the steps and that’s when Nyx struck! Nyx stood and dove toward Minoru, sending him face first into the ring post. Nyx then shoved Minoru into the ring, where Terror waited.

Minoru was rocked but he still found the wherewithal to get to his feet. That’s when Terror met him with Out of the Shadows (Superkick) that took Minoru off of his feet and onto his back. Nyx was back up on the apron and awaiting a tag from Terror -- which she received. Nyx entered the ring and Terror stood Minoru up. The Black Lion had not regained his composure and because of that he fell victim to Full Metal Jacket (Out of the Shadows [Terror]/Running Knee Strike [Nyx]) from Hell Realm. Minoru crumpled to the mat and Nyx made a cover.

PETRIE: Game over, thanks for coming!

1..

2..

..!

MEARS: Super Tiger with the save for her team!

PETRIE: Illegal move! Get her out of there!

The Hell Realm nearly secured a chance to regain the Tag Team Titles but Super Tiger had flown into the ring with a springboard dropkick to the side of Nyx’s head. Terror tried to handle Tiger but she surprised him with a quick tornado DDT. Terror powdered out to the floor and Tiger quickly got back on the apron.

Minoru was able to make the tag and then Tiger yelled out “ThunderLigerPlex!” and positioned Nyx for a tiger suplex. Minoru hit the ropes and came back with his Akihabara Dreams Yakuza kick as Tiger took Nyx over with the tiger suplex into a bridge. Terror tried to slide into the ring to break up the fall but Minoru jumped on him with his full body weight.

1..

2..

..3!

Winners: #1 Contenders for the Tag Team Titles, Super Kawaii Thunder Liger Squadron

“Flyers” by Bradio began playing as The Hell Realm regrouped on the outside. Monstruo shielded both Nyx and Terror from Volta, who was placed on the apron by one of the ring crew. Ryan Terror kicked at a barricade and began screaming at fans who were cheering -- he was clearly displeased by the loss. Terror shoved Monstruo away and stomped up the ramp, leaving the beast to care for Nyx.

MEARS: It seems that Ryan Terror is taking this loss to heart. PETRIE: They are former OATH Tag Team Champions and yet they have been spinning their wheels since losing the titles. They need a spark! They need to make a statement! MEARS: It is not unheard of for The Hell Realm to do something drastic. If that is something that they are considering then, really, no one is safe.

In the ring, Minoru held the ropes open and Volta waddled in to celebrate with the squad. A member of the ring crew also pushed a cardboard box into the ring that was filled with more t-shirts. Minoru and Tiger, war torn, still had the strength to toss some t-shirts into the crowd that was closer to them before we cut to a commercial break.

We cut backstage to show Conviction interviewer and Livewire commentator May O’Neil standing with a mic, ready to do an interview.

O’NEIL: Help me welcome two new faces to Conviction, former Livewire Champion Jamie Emmerson and newcomer Lana Corvin.

The pair walked into frame with an air of arrogance. They stood next to May, waiting for her to start the interview.

O’NEIL: Thank you for taking ti…

CORVIN: You know, May, I don’t like you. Why don’t you make yourself useful and go find Vince. I like him better. Just leave this…

Lana plucked the mic from May’s hand.

CORVIN: And run along. The important people have something to talk about.

Jamie made a little “shoo” motion with her hand as May O’Neil hurried off. Lana chuckled before addressing the camera.

CORVIN: Despite the acceptable entrance from May, we really didn’t need it. Little Sister and I both well know in our own ways. Her for being the longest-reigning, and best Eye Em Oh, Livewire Champion. Myself? Well, you all know who my family is.

Pause for the reaction she knew everyone watching would have.

CORVIN: We both felt that we have outgrown Livewire. So, after Little Sister passed the Livewire title onto someone who had to step to teenagers to make himself feel relevant again, we decided to come on over to Conviction. Not only are we both solid and impressive competitors on our own, but we are also the newest tag team to grace your screens and the OATH ring.

As Lana spoke, Jamie seemed content to just let her do so for now. The former Livewire Champion simply leaned into the second generation athlete; her lover and tag partner. Hanging one arm around her far shoulder while her other hand rested up on the one closest to her. Jamie more or less hung off of Lana with a dark smile on her lips, aimed at the camera.

CORVIN: We have decided to call our little team the Daughters of Darkness. I know, I can hear you all now. ‘That’s so edgy, did you cut yourself on that name?’ ‘Oh em gee, that’s so cringe.’ That just goes to show you know nothing about us. Little Sister tends to lean to the darker side of our shared beliefs. Then there is the fact that my father called himself the King of Darkness. So forgoing the cliched royalty thing we are the Daughters of Darkness.

Lana smirked and looked at Jamie for a moment before looking back into the camera.

CORVIN: We are here for one reason and one reason only. We are coming after the OATH Tag Team Titles. It doesn’t matter who holds them. When we face them, those titles will be coming to where they belong. Around our waists. You can scoff and try and fight against it. But just like Thanos, we are inevitable.

Here, Jamie let go of Lana and turned directly toward the camera; one corner of her mouth turning slightly up into another cold smirk, and for the first time since coming on Conviction’s cameras, the Black Metal Witch speaks.

EMMERSON: For it was from Darkness that all began…. So too in Darkness...all shall end….

It was then that Vince Valerie walked up to the pair. He had a smile on his face and microphone in his hand, ready to do the interview. Lana and Jamie looked at him for a moment. They both shook their heads and walk off.

OATH TABULA RASA CHAMPIONSHIP WAR QUEEN RULES MATCH Jenna Sharpe vs. Leah Aguero ©

It was now time for that evening’s only title match as former Tabula Rasa Champion “The Canadian Wildcat” Jenna Sharpe looked to regain the title by challenging “The War Queen” Leah Aguero. Jenna got a very warm response from the fans in The Citadel and she couldn’t help but smile -- her countrymen gave her a measure of added confidence. Leah on the other hand had The Citadel calling for her blood. The newest member of ONI didn’t really seem to give a shit as she sauntered to the ring dragging the Tabula Rasa Title, having donned her new mask. Scary.

MEARS: Here we have the first defence of the Tabula Rasa Championship under War Queen Rules. What do you think of Leah’s stipulation Bad Mood?

PETRIE: I think it’s fuckin’ awesome. Leah has been out for blood these past few weeks and now she gets to fight under her own rules every time she defends this belt. I don’t even think she cares about the title itself, but she loves the destruction that she can bring by holding it.

The two were set to start the contest, which was War Queen Rules -- which meant that there would be no disqualifications, no count outs, and falls count anywhere. As Leah handed off the championship everyone’s attention was drawn to the stage where two figures stood, Locke Helms and his minion Astaroth.

MEARS: I wish I could say that I am surprised to see thse two, but I’m not.

PETRIE: Jenna should have taken her beating from Helms at Hell And Back then moved on. Provoking a man like The Chairman of Chaos is straight fuckin’ dumb.

Jenna sighed as Helms and Astaroth sauntered to the ring and leisurely walked the length of the ring, taking a seat to the right of Ben Petrie at the announce table. Leah paid them no mind but Jenna knew that this contest with no rules just became infinitely more difficult for her. Whether Helms and Astaroth would seek to get involved remained to be seen.

The bell rang out and the two competitors immediately clashed in the middle of the ring. They traded blows back and forth until Jenna attempted to whip Leah across the ring but Leah reversed the momentum and then followed Jenna in to hit her with a big boot that sent her over the top rope to the floor.

MEARS: It did not take long for the action to spill out of the ring!

Leah gave Jenna no room to breathe as she darted to the opposite side of the ring and then came back with a suicide dive to the outside the slammed Jenna into the guard rail with serious force. Leah then introduced Jenna’s face to the guard rail a half dozen times before she whipped her into the ring apron like she was throwing out a bag of trash. Leah showed little emotion -- this was just another day at the office for her.

The Canadian Wildcat appeared to be having trouble catching her breath and Aguero was giving her a chance to do so. That proved to be a bad idea because when Leah went to approach, Jenna had one arm under the ring apron. As soon as Leah was close enough Jenna pulled out a steel chair and bashed Aguero over the head with it. The force of the blow was so severe that one might think that Leah owed Jenna money -- or a championship.

PETRIE: I am shocked and awed by the fact that a Sharpe knows how to use a weapon.

MEARS: Is that sarcasm that I detect?

PETRIE: That would be correct.

The champion stumbled backward and Jenna was quick to hoist herself up onto the apron. Jenna measured Leah and then darted across the ring apron and leaped off looking for a meteora but through some kind of physical improbility Leah caught her, lifted her up and then planted her with a sitout powerbomb onto the floor. You could practically hear Jenna’s ribs crack and Leah held her down for the first pinfall attempt of the contest.

1..

2..!

Jenna kicked out and a cheer rose up from the fans in The Citadel. Leah seemed disgusted by the enthusiasm and looked to make a martyr out of the challenger. Leah grabbed the announce table and pulled it into position, knocking everything over that Mears and Petrie had sitting on top. Petrie protested and Leah didn’t acknowledge him. Leah cast a cursory glance at Helms and Astaroth before going back after Jenna.

PETRIE: What the fuck Aguero? That’s my shit!

MEARS: I do not think that you want to attempt to get it back at this moment Bad Mood.

PETRIE: Yeah fuck that.

The Canadian Wildcat attempted to rally back with a right hand but Leah smacked it away and blasted Jenna in the face with a forearm shot. Leah then shoulder thrusted Jenna into the ring apron and then splayed her out on the repositioned announce table. Leah made sure that Jenna was going to stay prone by punching her in the face several times. Leah climbed up onto the apron, glanced backward and then hit a springboard moonsault! Leah landed with a crunch on top of Jenna and the announce table collapsed beneath their weight. Aguero took a moment to compose herself and then covered Jenna.

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..!

Jenna kicked out at the last possible second and the camera panned over to show Helms looking mildly impressed. Leah was less so and went about inflicting some more damage. Leah dragged Jenna’s motionless body and sat her with her back up against the steel steps. Aguero took a few paces back and then charged at the challenger looking for a knee strike but Jenna shot out of the way and Leah collided knee first with the steel steps, knocking them out of position.

MEARS: A rare miscalculation from the War Queen! This is the opening that Jenna needs after taking such heavy punishment for the duration of this contest.

Leah tried to recover but a reinvigorated Jenna was there to meet her with a rising knee lift to the face. Jenna smirked, she had an idea. A nasty idea. Jenna hefted Leah up onto the ring apron and soon joined her. Leah rose to her feet and tried to meet Jenna with a forearm smash but Jenna blocked it, lifted Leah up and planted her with a Michinoku driver onto the apron! Jenna covered Leah right on the apron and the referee made the awkward count.

1..

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..!

Looking to get a little creative, Jenna left Leah on the apron and then stepped into the ring, but she brought Leah’s arm through the ropes. Jenna then stepped over and applied a Fujiwara armbar through the ropes! Leah showed some emotion now and that emotion was immense pain. Obviously there were no rope breaks at this point so Leah pushed her body off of the apron and the positioning now forced Jenna to break the hold. Leah reached down and took hold of the chair. When Jenna moved to go through the ropes in pursuit, Leah smashed her in the head with the weapon.

MEARS: Since joining ONI Leah has become a cold individual. I attempted to speak with her backstage earlier and she acted as if I did not even exist.

PETRIE: That’s the response you get from most women.

MEARS: If that were true it would suit me fine. I am happily married.

Jenna lay on the mat prone for only a moment, she knew that she was in deep trouble. The Canadian Wildcat got on all fours but Leah had slithered into the ring with the chair. Casting the weapon aside, Leah targeted Jenna and charged in looking for The Endgame (Running Punt) but Jenna caught her leg and rolled through perfectly into a calf crusher!

MEARS: Jenna Sharpe could be ready to regain the Tabula Rasa Championship! How on earth can Leah hope to escape this hold?

At this moment, Helms touched Astaroth on the shoulder and the spooky luchador rose from his chair.transitioned into a calf crusher. Jenna saw Astaroth coming and broke the hold, meeting him at the ropes and Astaroth immediately backed away. Jenna turned around and Leah was back up, armed with the chair. Leah drove the back rest of the chair into Jenna’s midsection to double her over and then smashed it over her back.

The challenger was face down on the mat as Leah set up the chair. The champion took hold of Jenna, hoisted her up and then planted her on the seat of the chair with Drop The Bomb (Dead Eye)! The seat bent horribly and Jenna appeared to be out cold. Leah covered and stared with a dead gaze out into the audience.

1..

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..3!

Winner: Still OATH Tabula Rasa Champion, Leah Aguero

“Killing In the Name Of” by Rage Against The Machine kicked up. Aguero got up to her knees and barely paid any mind to her opponent. She accepted the Tabula Rasa Championship, seemingly only out of obligation. Leah quickly exited the ring and made for the curtain.

MEARS: And just like that, Leah Aguero successfully defends the Tabula Rasa Championship.

Locke Helms stood up from his position at the announce table and called out to Astaroth. With a nod, Astaroth reached under the ring and retrieved the edible arrangement that Jenna had left outside Helms’ locker room last week. All of the chocolate covered fruit was now rotting.

PETRIE: That’s what that smell was!

MEARS: I truthfully thought it was you.

PETRIE: That is crazy fuckin’ rude.

Helms entered the ring, with Astaroth trailing behind him. Jenna was starting to stir and when she noticed Helms she seemed primed and ready for a fight, struggling to get off the mat. Helms gestured for her to stay down. He glanced to Astaroth and the minion put the basket beside her -- a message about the state of her career now that she was dealing with a man like The Chairman of Chaos. We abruptly cut to a commercial.

We cut to Pillar and Post where Matt Shields was already sitting in a table near the corner, back to the wall sipping on a Moosehead. He looked like he might be dressed to compete although it’s hard to tell with the horror hobo. His jeans were tattered a bit, his black boots had been hastily laced and then knotted up, he was wearing a faded sleeveless Miskatonic University shirt under his vest and he chugged down the beer finishing it as another was brought to him.

As he took a gulp, the OATH World Champion Reo Ojima walked through the door and everyone in the restaurant shirked back a bit, except for Shields who smiled and kicked out the seat across from him. Before Ojima could take another step, the bartender coughed and pointed to a NO SMOKING sign by the door. With a cigar in his mouth, Reo gave the bartender the middle finger before grabbing the chair and sitting down opposite Shields.

SHIELDS: Glad you could make it… champ.

The sarcasm dripped from his tongue as he smirked and looked across the table at Ojima. Before Ojima could speak, a server brings more drinks. The server is recognizable as head bartender Steve.

SHIELDS: Good to see you again Steve. How’s the training going?

STEVE: Good sir, here is the Weiser's eighteen year you asked me to bring when Mister Ojima came in.

Ojima instinctively reached for the whiskey, but Shields shook his head and took it instead.

SHIELDS: No no, this is mine Ojima. Steve has something special for you.

Steve looked over at Shields for a second, then took a deep breath and sat down a very red drink in a martini glass.

STEVE: Skinny girl cosmopolitan.

SHIELDS: You’ve looked a little large recently Ojima, figured it would be good for you to have something light. I said the drinks were on me, but I never said a damn thing about you picking your drink.

Shields just sat there looking at Ojima for a few seconds before he took a sip of his drink

SHIELDS: Now that is some good damn whiskey.

Staring at the Martini glass, Reo slowly looked up at Steve who held his hands up innocently and walked away. Reaching into his jacket, Reo pulled out a flask and poured the entire container into the martini glass. Stirring the concoction with his finger, Reo addressed Shields before taking a sip of his drink.

OJIMA: You’re a cheap date, Shields. Now why did you invite me for drinks? We going to have a bar fight or is Steve going to bring some nachos over? Either way I’m taking a shit in the bathroom after I’m done here.

Shields smirked and laughed a little.

SHIELDS: As crass and gruff as I expected. Steve, go ahead and bring the… champ...

This time the word came very forced and with a large amount of frustration.

SHIELDS: ...bring him out a plate of the deluxe nachos, beef, chicken and the shrimp. Just to show how generous I am. If he doesn’t care that people are calling him a bloated slovenly load that doesn’t deserve to hold the OATH World title, well then I don’t either. Go on Steve.

Steve nodded and headed off as Shields took another sip of his whiskey.

SHIELDS: That really is good stuff. You asked why I invited you here? Maybe I was just wanting to shoot the shit, maybe I wanted to ask if you think that the guy who put the bop in the bop sha bop sha bop is the same one who put the ram in the rama lama ding dong? Maybe I wanted to compliment you on your choice in the newest member of ONI. I mean I came to you awhile back willing to join and sure it was definitely a ploy to find the right time to strike you down, but I was willing to wait it out for awhile, take care of the dirty work, because I could at least be close to my dear sweet golden girl. It’s good that I didn’t join though. I ended up with the perfect opportunity and now at Violent Ends I get to rescue Blanche from you, and I wanted to let you know face to face, man to man, that I will do anything and everything necessary to save her from you. You think because you beat Edwards you probably got one over on me, but I didn’t have the advantage you had. You went in knowing he had gone straight up nuts, I thought he was just a defeated sad sack bastard. Or maybe I just wanted to embarrass you with the cosmopolitan.

Shields sat back and smirked again before taking another sip of whiskey. Leaning back in his chair, Reo thought it over while smoking his cigar. Letting out a string of smoke, Reo addressed Shields with a low tone in his voice.

OJIMA: You name a title when you win it, kid. You haven’t won it yet so I don’t know why you think you have the pleasure to name it. Now I can call you Slap Dick because I’m the best World Champion this company has ever seen. I’ve held onto the title now for over 100 days. Did you know that? No other Champ in OATH can say that. They’re playing hot potatoes with the other titles in OATH. I’m consistent though.

Reo paused as he took a sip of his own drink.

OJIMA: I can call you the Drizzling Shits because since I joined OATH late last year I’ve yet to lose a match cleanly. Hell, Shields, I can call you a Piece of Rat Shit because every title match I’ve been in I’ve done it all by myself. No help. No interference. Just me.

Leaning forward, Reo was about to put the cigar back in his mouth but stopped as he addresses Shields again.

OJIMA: So, Shields, the only name I want you throwing around in my direction is Champ. And you better put some goddamn respect with it or we’re going to have a problem here very soon. You understand me, boy?

Shields took another sip of his whiskey, sat it down, took a breath and simply nodded,

SHIELDS: We already have a problem Ojima. When you call MY title an it, instead of referring to her by her proper goddamn name. Not the name I gave her, the name she told me. The name she told me when I listened to her and how her wants and needs were not being met. When I listened to her cries of anguish due to being held by a man like you. You have won a lot of matches and you have done it by yourself, but at Violent Ends, you stand between me and my sweet golden girl. So enjoy these next few weeks with Blanche, because I am going to rescue her.

Another sip of whiskey and he stared straight ahead.

SHIELDS: I know that you’re a tough son of a bitch Ojima. I know that come Violent Ends, I might have the most brutal and excruciating match of my career. I also know that I will win, I will rescue Blanche and I will go on to reign for one hundred, two hundred, three hundred, hell I could go on to reign for thousands of days, because no one is going to separate me and Blanche once she is safe in my arms. I tried to rile you, you tried to rile me, looks like both of us are a little too smart for that. Now I am going to go and prepare for my match with your new buddy's cousin or sister or best friend or whatever, I really don’t care. The second best member of that tag team. Still, I want you to sit there, enjoy those nachos that are coming, have you a lot more drinks and watch what I do out there to someone who just had the misfortune of being matched up against me. Then think about what I do to people who have disrespected and disgusted my sweet golden girl.

Shields finished his whiskey, stood up and looked down at Ojima.

SHIELDS: You got anything more, well… speak now or forever lick my taint.

Leaning back in the chair, Reo looked Shields up and down and gave a grin as he took his cigar and smothered it inside Shields empty shot glass.

OJIMA: Don’t fuck up tonight, kid.

Shields grinned, nodded back at Ojima and started walking out.

SHIELDS: Just make sure you watch me kick her blue haired ass tonight… Champ.

Shields shoved the door open and left right as a giant plate of nachos was sat down in front of Ojima along with a Moosehead beer and a glass of 18 year old Canadian whiskey over a few ice cubes.

STEVE: Mister Shields thought you might like these to go with the nachos.

Steve nods and scampered away as Ojima enjoys his food and beverages.

#1 CONTENDERSHIP - INTREPID TITLE SINGLES MATCH Erik Holland vs. AJ Jenkynx

Special Referee: FM Young

It was now time for match five in Erik Holland’s five match quest to earn an Intrepid Title match, and he was set to go against a man looking to earn a title match himself, AJ Jenkynx. The winner of this contest would face the person who was chosen to referee it, FM Young. It was obvious that she had respect for Holland due to previous encounters but her thoughts on Jenkynx were a mystery. Wonder how often people say his name wrong? It’s really weird and hard to say and oh hey it looks like the match has started.

PETRIE: Explain to me again why Young is refereeing this match.

MEARS: Given the ultraviolet tendencies that both of these men have displayed in the past, Mr. Straker wanted to have a more… resilient official for this contest.

Holland wasn’t playing around as he came right to the middle of the ring and fired off a right hand that stunned AJ. Holland sent him across the ring into the ropes and hit a big powerslam when AJ came back. Holland covered and FM Young slid into action to count the 1. She happened to be wearing a cut off ref striped shirt and black short shorts. The woman’s weird. Hopefully she actually can count to 3 or it’s gonna be a long match. Holland doesn’t question or argue it, he just nods, brings AJ to his feet and whips him across the ring again.

MEARS: I don’t know that Holland actually dislikes Young, he just really wants a chance to hold the Intrepid Championship. He has had a six week string of matches to get here.

PETRIE: But he lost the battle royal at Hell And Back!

MEARS: That wasn’t a singles match.

PETRIE: Seems sus to me.

Holland charged the corner for a splash, but AJ moved out of the way. As Holland stumbled out of the corner he ate a spinning heel kick. AJ covered and FM counted to 1 again. AJ did question it for a second, but FM assured him it was one. We’re still assuming she can count past one. AJ now brought Holland up, delivers a kick to the midsection, connects with a stunner and then AJ hits the ropes, charges in and hits a big jumping senton. AJ covers and gets a 2 count off of that. AJ starts insisting it was 3. She tells him that it was only 2 and AJ starts to get into her face. FM is not having any of it as the Intrepid champion pushes him back.

AJ nodded, and turned only to get peppered with body shots by Holland, who then pulls the struggling AJ up for a powerslam! Holland didn’t bother to cover. Instead Holland decided to take advantage of a prone AJ, lifting him again for that villainous secession of backbreakers! AJ just absolutely ate three back breakers, before he managed to turn things in his favor once again with a wild flailing throat chop. Holland grunted, but let go and allowed AJ to scramble to his feet, Young admonished him for the throat shot, with AJ insisting to his on and off teacher that it WASN’T deliberate. Young seemed to agree and moved away so the fight could continue. AJ turns ready to attack Holland, but instead he eats a right hand as Holland levels AJ with Plan 9 from Outer Space. Holland makes the cover...

MEARS: This could be it! Holland could be about to win his fifth singles match in a row!

1..

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..!

PETRIE: Ol Jenky kicked out!

Holland looked up at FM Young who told him that it was close, but AJ did kick out. Holland nodded, pulled AJ up and looked to connect with Toxic Avenger, but AJ desperately raked the eyes, slipped off and connected with a superkick. AJ covered but FM says no because of the eye rake from before. She told AJ that he’s going to win or lose this fair, no cheap shots or BS to steal a win. AJ was furious as Holland started to get to his feet only to eat a buzzsaw kick right to the side of the head. Holland dropped and AJ went over to the ropes. As he climbed, AJ yelled at FM to make the damn count and go full speed. AJ then leapt off the top rope and crashed down on Holland with a diving headbutt. AJ made the cover...

1..

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..!

AJ was incensed as Holland’s shoulder came up and he started screaming at FM Young that it was a slow count. She assured him the count was the same for both him and Holland, and he’d be smart to keep his head and worry more about his opponent than the referee. AJ waved that off, turned around to see Holland slowly getting up and he looked for another buzzsaw kick, but the big man caught AJ’s leg, stood up, and grabbed the throat of AJ. Holland tossed AJ to the outside with an airplane spin! AJ went toppling over the ropes and crashed to the outside.

PETRIE: I wonder if Young is even going to bother with a count.

MEARS: I imagine that she will give these two some leeway, just not too much.

It took the Sinner of Violence a moment or two to get to his feet, rubbing his neck. Holland followed to the outside with a huge suicide dive that sent AJ right into the barricade but it appears that it did just as much damage to Holland! The pair brawled around the outside, while Young visibly rolled her eyes at the camera. She held up a hand and then started the count.

AJ slammed Holland into the ringpost, but when he went to do it again the Self Made Monster battled back with hard elbows to AJ’s head. Young leaned down to warn the pair the count is getting close and yelled for them to get back inside the ring. Holland listened and rolled into the ring after fighting out of AJ’s grasp. AJ hung onto Holland long enough to cause the big monster to slingshot off the ropes slightly. AJ followed him into the ring, getting a boost from the ropes too, he flying speared Holland into the ground.

MEARS: I have to say that I am impressed with AJ here tonight. He is going toe to toe with a former World Champion.

PETRIE: I would love, love, love it if Jenky could beat Holland. To win four singles matches in a row only lose to this kid? It would be so great. Hopefully Young fucks him over.

MEARS: I do not see that happening.

Holland battled back, rolling over to use his near 300 pounds against AJ, sitting on him and raining down mounted punches. Holland got up, and dragged AJ to his feet by an arm and a grip on his neck, then powered him up and drove AJ into the mat with a monster chokeslam. Both men were going all out with the big moves and strikes as Holland again covers...

1..

2..

..!

AJ Weirdname managed to kick out again and Holland was looking a little frustrated, but still not blaming the official as FM Young really had called it down the middle and refused to allow a pin fall off a cheap move. Holland seemed to think Young’s been fair enough, continually on AJ for his dick moves and tried to be fair, he nodded and she backed off again. AJ came at Holland from behind, taking his legs out from behind him with a sliding chop block! Both men are desperate and frustrated by this point, both need to win and have put their hearts into it only to keep coming up just short. AJ scrambles up and dives on the still prone for a cover, but the rookie’s ring awareness isn’t entirely what it should be!

PETRIE: Here it is! She’s going to fuck Holland over!

MEARS: FM doesn’t see Erik’s foot on the rope! AJ is going to steal one!

1..

2..!

NO! Young stopped the moment she saw that Holland’s leg is on the rope, it’s a solid two but Young insists that this is a rope break. AJ gets to his feet entirely livid, screaming at Young, who frowns and gestures at AJ to get back to his own damn match and stop worrying about her. She advises Jenkyns to watch where he makes his pin attempts next time. Holland though, for his part is entirely done being ignored by AJ has his own little meltdowns. Holland’s road to the Intrepid Championship has been long and he’s ready for it to end in a victory. So Holland practically tackles AJ off his feet and the pair commence to brawling around the ring again. Holland tosses AJ with an uncommon exploder suplex, just to prove a point. AJ gets back up and rocks Holland with chops, back him up until Holland just straight up shoves AJ back and nails him with a Thesz Press, right back to raining blows. This time it’s AJ who catches the rope in a searching hand and forces the break. Young comes in and backs Holland off, he stares at her like “seriously?” Young nods like “yes seriously!” Holland moves without further complaint, leaving himself open to be caught up with AJ’s Broken Dreams! AJ covers again, hooking BOTH of Holland’s legs as best he can.

MEARS: AJ Jenkynx is going to defeat Erik Holland! What a night for this young man!

PETRIE: He is certainly Young’s man! She’s gonna fast count Holland!

1..

2..

..!

AJ just couldn’t hold both of Holland’s beefy legs at the same time and Holland got out, getting his shoulder off the mat, flailing one leg down. AJ EXPLODED He gets up and gets right in Young’s face, Young took several steps back, avoiding being shoved. AJ was so wrapped up in chasing the Ref, that Holland was able to come behind him and have a real moment of connection with Limbic Resonance! AJ was down! Holland covered with authority!

1..

2..

..3!

Winner: #1 Contender to the Intrepid Championship, Erik Holland

No music kicked up, Holland just stood up and turned his attention to Young. The Intrepid Champion was not a competitor tonight, she was an official and it was her duty to raise the winner’s hand. So she did. Erik stared into her eyes before smirking and leaving the ring.

PETRIE: I thought we were about to see a preview of Violent Ends right there.

Jenkynx was up and he spun Young around, screaming at her. Young smiled -- her duties were fulfilled and she was just a regular competitor now. Jenkynx shoved her and that seemed to be the prompt that she was waiting for because she immediately levelled him with the Man-Machine Interface (Discus Clothesline)! Jenkynx was flattened and Young played to the crowd before we cut.

The Runaways started to take the top of the stage as roadies handed off guitars and set up microphones, back up talent took their places. Rocco’s hair was sculpted to messy perfection, Switchblxde’s grills sparkled like diamonds under the stage lights. Their sleeves were cut and their fists were balled with energy. The crowd maintained their distance as they were given a little more space to see the live music. Taking the centre stage, Bert Cocaine waltzed up to the mic while Rocco finished up his sound check with a few chords.

BERT: CITADEL! How are you doing tonight?!

Bert was met with some mild excitement.

BERT: Now I know what most of you are thinking. Usually you pay for your season tickets to catch some talented and pure wrestling and cheer your fucking hearts out for my boys each and every week but tonight is a little special for us. Tonight instead of showing up and stretching each of these boys out in the back like we do, we showed up ready to rock out the fucking house. Citadel. ARE. YOU. READY?

And Rocco struck another chord to emphasize Bert and caused an eruption from the fans. Bert side stepped the stage and allowed Rocco to take centre playing distortion on the box.

ROCCO: Ladies and gentlemen. Tonight is brought to you by more than just my cousin and I. Tonight, I’d like to introduce to you a couple more runaways. Give it up for Cherry… and Kasey Kash!

The crowd gave them a warm welcome as the rest of the band and Rocco started to pick up the pace, the entire stage moshing, Cherry and Kasey right on cue. As Rocco and Switchblxde grabbed their mics and started the song, it all ended just as fast. Before they could even get out their first syllable they were blindsided as the stage filled up with more than just The Runaways. The Hell Realm had heard enough.

With Ryan Terror directing traffic, the Hell Realm began to wail on Rocco and Switchblxde. Ryan took the microphone and began berating the crowd.

TERROR: Is this what you call popular? This is what you idiots believe represents OATH.

Terror kicked Mikey in the face. Adrestia was on top of Cherry raining down punches. Blood began to flow from Cherry’s face.

TERROR: I can’t stand idly by and watch OATH go down the toilet. We, the Hell Realm, are done letting stupid millennial bullshit define what OATH is all about.

Ryan directed Monstruo to pick up both Mikey and Switchblxde. Ryan made the motion for the crowd to clear. The crowd obliged mainly due to Monstruo essentially palming the heads of the Runaways like two basketballs. Ryan bolted down to the merchandise table below and doused it with lighter fluid. He then set the table ablaze.

With that, Monstruo lifted both Runaways above his head in a gorilla press. He then launched them like a couple of lawn darts off the stage. They both crashed through the flaming merchandise table. Adrestia had Kasey in a rear naked choke as she dragged him over to the monster. She let go and Monstruo deposited Kasey the same way as he did his friends. All three lay in a heap as Ryan grabbed the microphone again.

TERROR: If this is what represents OATH then we will put an end to OATH itself. Consider this a declaration of war.

Ryan dropped the mic and the Hell Realm admired their handiwork.

• MAIN EVENT •

SINGLES MATCH Stephanie Matsuda vs. Matt Shields

The main event was up next and Stephanie “Cloud” Matsuda made her way to the ring amid cheers from the fans in The Citadel. Matsuda was not her usual self, she appeared dejected. The typical fierce energy that she brought to her matches was seemingly depleted. Something was weighing heavy on her mind and it showed based on the expression on her face.

“The Hellhound” Matt Shields was out next and it was clear from his quick pace to the ring that he doesn’t get paid by the hour. Shields reached the bottom of the ramp and then stomped up the steps, entering the ring. Shields entered the ring and shouted “Ring the fucking bell!”

MEARS: It seems that Matt Shields is all business here tonight.

PETRIE: This guy is always all fuckin’ business. He has a World Title Match in two weeks. He saw what happened to James Edwards when he wasn’t on his game going into a match against Reo Ojima. That ain’t Shields.

The referee was scared shitless by Shields and called for the bell. Right off the hop Shields marched towards Matsuda and he easily smashed her in the face with a clubbing blow to the collarbone. Matsuda was barely trying to cover up, it was as if she had lost all fight.

The lack of defensive effort from Matsuda just pissed Shields off even more. The Hellhound blasted Cloud with a European uppercut but gripped the back of her head and hit her with a second, then a third. Shields shoved Matsuda hard into a corner and then charged in and hit her with a clothesline in the corner.

MEARS: My goodness. Stephanie isn’t even trying to block anything here tonight!

PETRIE: She is upset that she missed out on the ONI train! She sees how much success her cousin is having without her and she’s sad about it!

MEARS: I do not believe that is the case. It appears to me that she is worried about the path that Leah is on.

The camera closed in to show Matsuda’s expression and she appeared to be on another planet. Shields led her out of the corner and hit her with a brutal forearm smash but once again he was holding the back of her head so that she couldn’t escape.

Shields treated Matsuda to two more forearm smashes and the audience in The Citadel was stunned quiet. Matsuda had yet to even try any offense and Shields was taking her to school. Following one last forearm smash, Shields hoisted Matsuda up and then planted her with Majo no toki (Fireman's Carry Neckbreaker). Shields covered, while mouthing to the camera “Too easy.”

MEARS: Could this be it?

1..

2..!

PETRIE: I’m surprised that she even bothered!

Matsuda kicked out and Shields really could not believe it. He stood up and started stomping on Matsuda’s left arm and with each successive stomp Matsuda screamed louder. The screams from Matsuda seemed to motivate and please Shields, he got her up to her feet and applied a hammerlock. Maintaining the hold, Shields lifted Matsuda up and planted her with a scoop slam on her own arm.

Cloud was in deep trouble, Shields had found his target body part and he was attacking it like some kind of rabid animal. An animal with a severe dislike of arms! Shields kept Matsuda subdued with some more forearm smashes and then hoisted her up to her feet. Shields applied another hammerlock and then took Matsuda over with an arm trapped belly to back suplex.

PETRIE: Shields is gonna break her fuckin’ arm!

MEARS: He is trying his hardest.

The audience was stunned, never before had Matsuda been attacked with such surgical precision. Shields was not known for his emotional composure, Matsuda simply did not have her heart in this contest. Her left arm hung by her side as Shields took hold of her and planted her with an arm trapped side Russian leg sweep. Instead of covering, Shields merely sat up laughing.

Matsuda lay on the mat and Shields took a moment to catch his breath. That was when our attention was directed to the top of the stage. Tabula Rasa Champion Leah Aguero came out through the curtain with a steel chair and set it up. Aguero sat down and dropped the title on the floor beside her. She crossed her legs and stared into the ring.

PETRIE: ONI is in the building! Is she here to fuck with Shields by Reo’s request?

MEARS: I do not believe that Reo wants to mess with Matt like this. I think she is here to see her cousin.

Shields stood and warned Aguero from the ring, “Stay the FUCK where you are!” he shouted. Being a member of ONI with Reo Ojima, Shields would be justified in thinking that Aguero was out there to fuck with him. However, it could also be there to see her cousin Stephanie’s match up close.

Matsuda sat up and saw Leah sitting at the top of the ramp. Matsuda’s eyes blazing with rage. Her cousin had abandoned her but had the gall to come out and watch this match. To watch her getting dismantled by Shields? No. Shields looked to stand Matsuda up and when he did, she broke his grip and blasted him with Yahtzee! (Superkick). Shields was taken off of his feet for the first time in this contest.

MEARS: Stephanie Matsuda just showed up!

PETRIE: Took her long enough! Yeesh.

Trying to rally back, Shields went for another forearm smash but Matsuda blocked it. Shields then tried his hand at Irish whipping Matsuda into the ropes but he did so using her good arm. Matsuda hit the ropes and then came back to hit Shields with Last Surprise (Sling Blade)! Shields dropped and Matsuda vaulted over the top rope, landing on the apron.

Cloud cast a glance back at her cousin on the stage and then turned her attention back to Shields. With a look of pure determination, Matsuda hit a springboard into the ring and nailed Shields with Final Heaven (Springboard Forearm Smash). Shields was taken off his feet again and Matsuda covered, staring through the ropes at Leah.

1..

2..!

MEARS: Stephanie Matsuda nearly pinned the Number One Contender!

PETRIE: It’s gonna take a lot more than some high flying bullshit to take down The Hellhound.

MEARS: That remains to be seen.

Shields kicked out and the shot showed Leah, her expression had remained neutral the entire time. Matsuda got to her feet and now ignored her cousin, she wanted to finish off the Number One Contender to the World Championship and she wanted to do it now. Matsuda had Shields measured for another Yahtzee! But when she unleashed it Shields grabbed her foot.

Staring into Matsuda’s eyes, Shields blasted Matsuda with Frailty (Ripcord Elbow) right to the face. Matsuda was flattened and found herself prone on the mat. Shields then splayed out Matsuda’s left arm and quickly climbed to the top rope. Shields wasted no time, he came off of the top rope with Year Zero (Swanton Bomb) right onto Matsuda’s left arm.

MEARS: That was unique...and that could have been a match ender.

PETRIE: Shields is rollin’ into Violent Ends with a hot record!

MEARS: It isn’t over yet.

Cloud lay screaming on the mat and Shields grabbed her left wrist. Shields was quick to bundle Matsuda up and apply Whispers of Azathoth (Arm Trapped Facelock). Matsuda had nowhere to go and while trapped in the hold, she had to look right up the ramp at Leah. Instead of giving her cousin the satisfaction of seeing her submit, Matsuda stayed in the hold until she passed out.

Winner: Matt Shields

"Faith" by Ghost cued up and Shields got his hand raised. Aguero stood up from her seat at the top of the ramp, collected her title, and disappeared through the curtain shaking her head. Shields grabbed the lens of the camera and looked deep into it.

SHIELDS: I hope you were watching that Ojima! That's me when I'm just fighting for some personal pride, imagine when I'm fighting to Rescue Blanche!

Shields stood tall with his arm raised, Matsuda old cold on the mat. Trainers slipped into the ring to check on Cloud and Shields stood in the middle of the ring, victorious as Conviction XXXVII came to a close.

---

Results:

• Sweet Treats def. The Blacklist

• Johnny Draco def. Alex Pierce

• SKTLS def. The Hell Realm; #1 Contenders - Tag Team Titles

• Leah Aguero def. Jenna Sharpe; Still Tabula Rasa Champion

• Erik Holland def. AJ Jenkynx; #1 Conteder - Intrepid Title

• Matt Shields def. Stephanie Matsuda